How Often Should A Goldendoodle Be Bathed?
Goldendoodles are probably one of the best dogs anybody could ask for because they are loyal, energetic, friendly, and just generally fun to have around the house. They are great with kids and they’ll be good companions to anyone, but just like other dogs, they tend to get dirty and smelly from time to time. So the question is, how often can and should you bathe your Goldendoodle?
Goldendoodles should be bathed at least once a month. Any less than that and their coat will grow continually dirtier and cause them to get fleas and develop skin rashes. However, bathing Goldendoodles too often will result in the dog’s skin becoming extremely itchy and irritated.
Owning and bathing a Goldendoodle is not that different from owning and bathing any other dog. They will need regular cleaning and regular maintenance, but you have to know exactly how to do it (which is why many people opt to use professional groomers instead).
Below, you will find a few tips that should help you have a better understanding of how and how often to bathe your Goldendoodle!
When Should I Bathe My Goldendoodle?
As mentioned above, Goldendoodles should generally be bathed once a month at the very least. Like every other dog out there, Goldendoodles will develop bad smells and get filthy over time. Once a month will keep them smelling good until the time comes for another appointment with the groomer.
If you are the type of person to take your dog into a grooming parlor, this should occur every six to eight weeks, however, this does depend a great deal on what kind of look you want for your doodle. Grooming usually costs about $50 to $80 per visit (although the price will vary depending on how much is done per visit).
Generally, you shouldn’t have to bathe your dog in between grooming sessions unless it has rolled around in something unpleasant or been running especially hard.
Honestly, one of the best things you could do is depend on your nose to let you know when it’s time for a bath. If your dog has been getting an extraordinary amount of exercise, it’s probably safe to assume that you can give them a good washing. As to specifically when it doesn’t matter.
At the beginning of the month or the end or the middle of the month, you do whatever is best for you and your Goldendoodle.
Good Grooming Routines/Practices
Along with simply bathing your Goldendoodle, several other things ought to happen as well. For this reason, a lot of people choose to visit a groomer, but there is no reason you cannot undertake them yourself (as long as you have the know-how). Here are a few things you ought to know!
Brushing your Goldendoodle is of equal importance. Goldendoodles have shaggy, curly coats that require constant attention. If they go unshaved/unclipped and unbrushed, Goldendoodles will become frightfully unkempt, shaggy, and matted. If yours has a short, buzzed clip, you probably don’t need to do any brushing until it grows out a bit more.
If your Goldendoodle has a longer clip, you will probably need to
It is also important that you clip your Goldendoodle’s nails as often as is needed as well. This can be a tricky undertaking, but it is, nonetheless, a necessary one. Long nails can become ingrown and uncomfortable to walk with.
Plus, they become something of a hazard for you, especially if you like to romp around with your dog. Clipping or getting your doodle’s nails clipped every one to two months is usually advised.
Finally, you should take care to get your Goldendoodle’s hair cut as often as necessary. It will become matted and tangled and very much impossible to work with if you allow it to grow continually without ever shaving it. Plus, a tangled and knotted coat will cost you much more to get groomed or cut.
Groomers vs. At Home: the Pros and Cons
When it comes to grooming your dog, there are two options. Either you can undertake the job yourself, or you can get it done at a groomer’s parlor. The only question is, which is right for you? Here are a few pros and cons of taking your Goldendoodle to a groomer that every owner should know!
Pros
Having a professional groom for your dog is the best way to ensure that the job is done thoroughly and completely. Some of the things such as shaving and clipping can prove difficult for a dog owner to do alone, especially if their dog happens to be a Goldendoodle.
For example, their curly hair often makes it tough to see where the place is that their nails need to be clipped. A groomer will have a trained eye and will therefore know where to clip without hurting the dog.
Bathing and grooming can take quite a chunk out of your day. Of course, that’s only one day in each month (or less) that you’ll have to spend, but it is often much simpler and much easier to just drop your dog off at the parlor, wait a little while, then pick it back up. It will give you perfect ease of mind every time.
Cons
Really the only downside to going to see a groomer regularly is the price. If you know how to do the shaving, bathing, and clipping on your own, that’s a lot of money you will be saving yourself.
Not all groomers are as expensive as others, but that’s still a bill you will have to pay constantly to keep your dog in clean and healthy condition. If you have a tight budget, it might be worth it to gain the know-how yourself.